English Reference

Word

fittest

US/ˈfɪtəst/

UK/fˈɪtəst/

Definition

adj. the most physically strong and healthy. You use this to describe the person who wins a competition because they are the best at sports.

adj. the superlative form of 'fit', meaning the most physically strong, healthy, or capable of surviving. Often used in the phrase 'survival of the fittest' to describe natural selection.

Examples

“The fastest and fittest athlete won the race.”

“After the long hike, the fittest members of the group were the only ones who reached the summit.”

“In the harsh winter, only the fittest individuals in the population were able to find enough food to survive until spring.”

Examples

simple

“The fastest and fittest athlete won the race.”

contextual

“After the long hike, the fittest members of the group were the only ones who reached the summit.”

complex

“In the harsh winter, only the fittest individuals in the population were able to find enough food to survive until spring.”

Real-World Examples

“Instead of survival of the fittest, we get survival of the most memorable aspects of stories as they are shared.”
Phys.org · 20 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference